ITA Marketing Seminar
May 7th & 8th, 2008
West Des Moines Sheraton

Agenda:

The Broadband Course for CSRs
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Competing Effectively in Rural Markets 

Knowing your customer and counting on their loyalty may not be enough to effectively compete  in the future.  Rural telcos are going toe to toe with large cable providers competing for TV, Internet and now Phone.

There is direct competition from large nationwide wireless carriers, as the need for mobility continues to eat away at access line counts.

These are big companies with large marketing budgets!  It’s important to understand how these companies sell services and how they position their advantages.  It’s also important to understand their weaknesses.

In this session you’ll hear secret shopping calls where we can explore the sales techniques they use.  Come find out how to help your company compete effectively against these giants!

Presented by:  Ryan Dutton,

Cronin Communications

 Competing Effectively in Rural Markets
 Continued

10:30 to 10:50 &
10:55 to 11:15

Info Share Tables
Topics Include:
Get Buy-In for Marketing Across your Organization
CPNI-How to Market/Sell with New Rules
Public Relations
Brand Rebuilding
Contests with Customers
Graphic Design

Surveys:  Why You Should Survey Your Customers and How to Use the Data

We all know customer satisfaction is important in today’s highly competitive environment.  It may be as important to gauge our customers’ interest in advanced services such as IPTV, computer security, data storage, VoIP, and more.  Learn how surveying your customers will give you the confidence and foresight to venture into new service areas, develop new product offerings, or just make your core business even better.  You’ll leave this session with an independent telco’s approach to measuring customer satisfaction and turning those results into revenue. 

Presented by:  Sara Hertrampf, Alpine Communications

Don't Blink-Gone in 4 Seconds!

Sound messages and clear verbal communications aren’t enough to grab the attention of your busy audience. With a viewer that is on visual overload from messages that come at them in every direction, there are specific tools and methods that graphic designers implement to capture that glance in an instant.   This talk takes an in depth look at the two design principles, emphasis and proportion, and explores how effective graphic designers rely on these principles to capture the viewers glance in 4 seconds or less, so Don’t Blink!

Breakout Sessions 

1:55 to 2:35

Developing Effective Marketing Campaigns

While every community is unique and each company brand different, all telcos want to conduct effective marketing campaigns that help your company's revenue grow. With so many 'products' in our garden, it is difficult to decide what gets your time, energy and marketing dollars. This session will introduce you to one campaign development strategy that has proven to be both effective and manageable. With this concept, you may go home and start planning your next campaign top to bottom. Bring your questions because your real world examples will make this session even more relevant for attendees.

Presented by Doug Pals, Re:Sourceful Communications

 “Generational Marketing” – Ideas & Strategies with Impressive Results

Having trouble reaching the various demographic segments of your customers?

Can you identify their lifestyles, needs, purchasing patterns and what matters to them most?  Or possibly you just need some fresh new ideas for reaching “Baby Boomers”?  Plan to join us for this fun, interactive session that takes an in-depth look at the “Generations”, while learning effective marketing strategies, campaigns and promotional ideas to increase your bottom line. 

Presented by Janell King-Squires, Heart of Iowa Communications Cooperative

2:45 to 3:15 & 3:20 to 3:50

 Roundtable Sessions
Diversifying with Retail or Local Content
Diversifying with Retail or Marketing's Role in Fiber Buildout

Registration Fees:

Wednesday Only
ITA Member - $75.00/attendee

Wednesday Only
Non-Member - $150.00/attendee

Full Conference--ITA Member-$175/attendee

Full Conference--Non Member- $350/attendee

Thank you to our sponsors:
*Chaz Taylor, Inc.
*MACC
*Midwest Data